COOS BAY — One of the South Coast’s longest running traditions, “The Sounds of Christmas” concert will again be presented at noon Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Egyptian Theatre located at 229 S Broadway in downtown Coos Bay. Concessions will be available.

Lee Littlefield, Paul Quarino and members of the Christmas Brass will delight young and old with the rich sounds of Christmas through familiar holiday songs, snappy arrangements of familiar tunes and lively Christmas caroling with the Wurlitzer.

Sponsored by the Egyptian Theatre Preservation Association, this special event has been a gift to the community from the musicians and the theater for 40 three years.

Concert goers will enjoy the power of the 1925 Wurlitzer organ when Littlefield and Quarino take their places at the console of this one-of-its-kind in Oregon, still played in its original installation.

There is a tremendous ongoing effort to restore this wonderful instrument to its former glory. Sharp-eyed concertgoers will note a historically significant change to the console recently completed – it has been returned to its original three manual 1925 configuration with the removal of a fourth manual which was added in the mid 1940s.

Lee Littlefield has performed since high school days on the Wurlitzer and in this concert since its inception in 1974, having returned to Coos Bay after college to teach music in the North Bend schools. She has worked tirelessly on the theatre restoration and currently serves on the ETPA Board of Directors as Vice President.

Paul Quarino, one of the West Coast’s premier Wurlitzer concert artists, has given nearly four decades of expertise and elbow grease to the efforts in keeping the organ operational. He also has relocated to the coast from Portland, serves on the ETPA Board of Directors and is the organist at Harmony United Methodist Church in Coos Bay.

The Christmas Brass, a 40+ year presence in the longtime concert, will offer memorable traditional holiday music and novelty tunes. The brass players come from all walks of life here on the coast and they share a joy in playing and making beautiful music with their horns (and drums).

The ensemble has undergone major personnel changes with the retirement of several longtime players in the group. Trombonist Steve Simpkins has taken the reins as organizer/conductor and joining him in the ensemble are: Steve Krajcir and Nick Lovell, trumpet; Sarah Massey, French horn; Cameron Jerde, euphonium; Dan McGraw, tuba; Steve Simpkins and Don Walden, trombone; and Trevor Edd, percussion.

The musicians champion the spirit and tradition of Christmas keeping it alive through the great blend of organ and brass music, and sharing it with community, young and old, in the beautiful auditorium of the Egyptian Theatre.

This is a free concert, although donations are always appreciated. Any donations received will be applied to the Wurlitzer Organ Restoration Fund. Take time to make this wonderful concert part of your holiday traditions.